The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have unveiled a coordinated strategy to strengthen flood control, improve water infrastructure and protect vulnerable communities from recurring disasters, following an extensive assessment of critical flood-prone locations across the state.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said the initiative signals a renewed partnership between both tiers of government to confront the growing threat of flooding through science-driven planning, improved engineering solutions and sustained investments in resilient infrastructure.

Speaking during an inspection of major drainage systems, pumping facilities and flood-affected communities in Lagos on Thursday, the Minister described the commercial hub as too strategic to Nigeria’s economy to be left vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate-induced flooding.

He explained that the Lagos visit forms part of the Federal Government’s nationwide assessment of water resources, sanitation, hygiene and flood risks across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, aimed at designing long-term interventions rather than temporary emergency responses.

Utsev said the exercise would help identify priority projects requiring urgent federal intervention while strengthening collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Lagos State Government, development partners and the private sector.

He commended Lagos State, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority for proactive measures already being implemented to minimise flood risks and improve water resources management.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes strongly in collaboration. We will continue to engage the Lagos State Government, the private sector and development partners to develop sustainable mechanisms that will address the challenges we have observed and improve the living conditions of the people,” the Minister said.

He identified indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drainage channels as one of the leading causes of urban flooding and urged residents to support government efforts by keeping drainage systems free of waste.

The Minister also praised the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station on Lagos Island, describing it as an innovative engineering solution that has significantly improved flood control by pumping excess stormwater into the lagoon. He said similar interventions could be replicated where necessary after detailed technical assessments.

According to him, the Federal Government will undertake comprehensive engineering studies before determining the scope, funding requirements and implementation timeline of new flood control projects. He added that opportunities to integrate hydropower generation into future water infrastructure would also be explored to improve sustainability and create jobs.

Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the Federal Government’s flood management strategy is anchored on scientific forecasts and hydrological data.

He recalled that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook predicted above-normal rainfall across many parts of the country, warning that changing climatic conditions could trigger additional flooding if precautionary measures are ignored.

Mohammed stressed that while government hopes to avert major disasters, sustained public vigilance, continuous early warning dissemination and prompt response by relevant agencies remain critical.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the state had issued multiple early warning advisories ahead of the rainy season using forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and other technical agencies.

He said the state government had also intensified public awareness campaigns and invested in innovative flood management infrastructure, including the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, which has helped reduce flooding in parts of Lagos Island.

Rotimi-Akodu welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention, particularly in tackling flood challenges affecting communities across state boundaries, expressing optimism that the renewed partnership would accelerate lasting solutions.

A resident of Ilo-Awela in Alimosho Local Government Area, Mr. Lawal Sunday, commended the Lagos State Government for previous erosion control works but appealed to the Federal Government to fast-track the construction of a proposed bridge serving the community to ease transportation and reduce hardship.

The minister and his delegation inspected key flood management facilities, including the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, Signal Barracks Primary Drainage Channel in Ajegunle, System 5 Drainage Channel in Apapa-Iganmu, Ilo-Awela River in Alimosho, public sanitation facilities at Orile-Iganmu and the Ogombo River corridor along the Lagos Coastal Highway.